The Rosie Hood Band on Friday 10 November

A folk singer/songwriter from Wiltshire, Rosie Hood is known for her strong, pure voice and captivating performances, as well as being a member of The Dovetail Trio. A BBC Performing Arts Fellow and 2016 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominee, Rosie has become more than purely a traditional singer. June 2017 saw the release of her first full-length solo album The Beautiful & The Actual, a collection of old and new folk songs, described by The Guardian as “a classy arrival” ****.

Rosie has toured the UK and Central Canada, both solo and as part of The Dovetail Trio, as well as collaborating and performing with a host of fellow musicians including Emily Portman, Jefferson Hamer, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne and the Andy May Trio. She is currently working with talented accompanists Nicola Beazley (fiddle/cello), Robyn Wallace (melodeon) and Rosie Butler-Hall (fiddle). Link to: A Furlong of Flight

The evening starts at 7.30 pm. Tickets (£13 non-members, £10 club members) can be reserved via the email form on our contact page. Bring your own drinks – teas and coffee available in the kitchen for 50p.

Coracle on Friday 25 November

Photo by Head Girl Photography

On Friday 25 November we look forward to welcoming Coracle, a new group bringing together the talents, imagination and creativity of three artists with vastly different backgrounds, who have come together through their love of traditional music cut through with experimentation, boldness, humour and risk. Be thrilled by the silvern voice of Anna Tam, the free-flowing mix of reeds … clarinet and accordion … cello, nyckelharpa, viola da gamba and hurdy-gurdy.

Accordionist Paul Hutchinson is a BBC Folk Award Best Live nominee (Belshazzar’s Feast), Karen Wimhurst is an accomplished clarinet player and composer, and Anna Tam, shortlisted as Fatea’s 2021 Instrumentalist of the Year and a former Mediaeval Baebe, brings a range of other instruments as well as her ‘gin-pure’ voice.

This event will start at 7.30 pm. Tickets (£13 non-members, £10 club members) can be reserved by emailing via our contact page. Bring your own drinks, as the kitchen will be closed.

 

Showcase with Jaki Alden and Pete Wilks on Friday 25 May

On Friday 25 May we welcome well known local performers Jaki Alden and Pete Wilks as showcase guests at the song session. Jaki (cello and flute) and Pete (fiddle, banjo, guitar) are accomplished instrumentalists and singers, with an eclectic mix of acoustic songs and tunes, some ancient and some modern. Look forward to an evening of mellow sounds.

Entry is free, with a raffle, and all are welcome to come along to the session, whether to sing, play or listen. Bring songs and tunes, and your own drinks. Teas and coffee are available in the kitchen.

Iceni Rising showcase at session on Friday 29 November

iceni rising

The folk song session on Friday 29 November features two spots from Iceni Rising, a new local trio comprising Jaki on cello, flute and vocals, Pete on fiddle, banjo, guitar and vocals, and Dave on sax.

Iceni Rising play an eclectic mix of acoustic songs and tunes, some ancient and some modern. Entry is free and all are welcome to come along to the session, whether to sing, play or listen. Bring your own drinks. Teas and coffee are available in the kitchen.

Pete Morton on 18 March

Pete Morton

Pete Morton has been hailed as one of England’s finest songwriters – a voice of reason in these troubled times. The songs on Pete’s brand-new album, ‘Economy’, present a typically lively, moving and often sideways look at the modern human condition, whether through the eyes of a lady gorilla, the ever-changing setting of a city café or the sweet voice of an Indian call-centre operator. ‘Disobedience’ strikes a particularly topical note in summoning the peaceful spirit of Gandhi to fight oppression. Other well-loved songs from Pete include ‘Another Train’, ‘The Shepherd’s Song’ and ‘Six Billion Eccentrics’.

In support on Friday 18 March will be up-and-coming young songwriting duo Luke Hirst and Sarah Smout. Cellist Sarah has played all over the UK alongside Rosie Doonan and has shared stages with a number of well-known performers, including Kate Rusby. An accomplished guitarist, Luke has been playing gigs since 2004, with TV coverage on BBC and airplay on a number of radio shows.

Bring your own refreshments. Tea and coffee will be available. Tickets £8. (Save seats by emailing via the ‘About the club’ page.)

PS The toast of the Edinburgh fringe this year, Pete Morton’s alter-ego, Geoffrey Chaucer Junior, will be presenting  ‘The Miller’s Tale’, a medieval musical monologue of poetry, comedy and song, at the Christ Church Centre at 8 pm on Saturday 19 March. Tickets £6/£4.

Kiss the Mistress on 27 February!

Kiss the Mistress

Kiss the Mistress

Showcase guests at the singaround on 27 February will be Kiss the Mistress, a popular local trio combining a rare mix of voice, cello, accordion and bodhran. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along.

Club officers John Robinson (chair), Bridget Lely (secretary), Fred Brown (treasurer) and Linda Robinson (membership secretary) were asked by the AGM to continue for a further year. Other committee members for 2009-10 are: Judy Bedder, Keith Ellison, Andrea Granville, Brian O’Neill, Caroline Peel and Kelly Woods. The AGM joined John in welcoming Andrea and Caroline to the committee and in thanking retiring committee members Les Ellis and Mick Selvey for all their work on the club’s behalf.

Members commented that guest nights in the past year had been really enjoyable and that they particularly like the wide variety of acoustic music styles at singarounds nowadays.

Membership for 2009-10 is now due and remains at £6. To benefit from reduced ticket prices on guest nights and receive regular updates on club news, download the membership form, or contact the membership secretary on any club night.